Identity of Students in Information Management Program at Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University

Abstract

The focus of this study was to explore the students’ identity concerning their abilities to think, practice, and possess public mind service. The research employed a mixed method approach to determine the students’ abilities. The data were gathered through questionnaires, interview forms and group discussions and descriptively analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.

The findings indicated 1) the participants as thinkers were capable in designing and planning their work operation and had analytical and synthetic thinking at the top level (Mean =3.97), followed by the system thinking ability (Mean  = 3.97) for managing their task operation. 2) As practitioners, the study sample on average had high working skills (Mean 4.14), if considered by each type of work, they were capable to handle information professional tools (Mean = 4.14), followed by the ability in undertaking assigned tasks (4.08). 3) As public minded persons, the participants had generally high abilities in pursuing public work (Mean = 4.29), and generosity, sacrifice, and respect of the rights of others were also found at the high level (Mean = 4.29), followed by good personality, service mind, generosity, and ability in working with others (4.26)

Concerning the approaches for student identity development, it was foun that to develop thinkers students needed to be trained to dare to think, express themselves, be self-confident, and collaborate with people from multi-cultural background. This training had to be integrated into course instruction and activities. As practitioner development, practicum requirements and assignment should be required in each course work, including extra-curricular activities with the emphasis on work based learning. To develop students to become public minded persons, the students needed to be cultivated to have good personality, gentle manner, and be ready to help others, including benevolence. In addition they had to be encouraged to do voluntary work in various organizations from the fresh men to the senior years of their studies.